Bigger doesn’t always mean better, and Exhibit A is the AHSAA’s Class 1A.

The classification with the state’s smallest schools has produced the Courtland dynasty in the 1990s, the state’s all-time single-season rushing record-holder and even a Mr. Football.

What can fans expect this season? Here’s five things to know about Class 1A as the high school football season kicks off:

1. The defending champ is gone: Yep, gone. Pickens County, which demolished Maplesville in last year’s 1A title game, moved up to Class 2A as part of the AHSAA’s biennial reclassification. That means 1A will have a different state champ for the sixth straight season. Of course, Brantley – based largely on last year’s runner-up finish – starts at No. 1 in the ASWA 1A poll. The race for the 1A championship appears wide-open, with no clear-cut preseason favorite.

2. Maybe this is Linden’s year: Andro Williams has cultivated a championship caliber program from the Black Belt soil, going 80-15. The only thing missing during his eight years is a state title. Linden is always a contender, and the 2014 schedule features games against St. Paul’s, the preseason No. 1 team in 5A, and Dora, another 5A school. The Patriots should be battle-tested when the playoffs begin.

3. Don’t forget about A.L. Johnson: The smallest football-playing school in the state might be a contender this season, despite losing veteran coach Mose Jones to retirement. The Eagles won eight games last year before falling in overtime in a first-round playoff game, and there are more players available after the closing of nearby John Essex. Don’t sleep on this team, with new coach Johnny Ford calling the shots.

4. The north darkhorse is … Falkville.The Blue Devils rolled to a 9-0 record, only to get demolished drop two of their last three games and exit after just two rounds of the playoffs. But for a program that hadn’t won a playoff game since 1999 and hadn’t won nine games in a season since 1992, it was a clear step in the right direction. It’s now time to build on that success.

5. The south darkhorse is … Loachapoka. Quarterback Courtland Cox returns after throwing 22 touchdown passes last year, and he should be even better this season. Yes, 15 starters were lost from last year’s team, but the Indians have advanced to the playoffs for 11 straight seasons. Expect a 12th straight playoff berth this season.

Edited: Aug. 15, 2014, to fix that Pickens County defeated Maplesville in the 2013 title game.